Manual-call-distributing system.



J. H. LEVIS, Jn

MANUAL CALL DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 29, 1913 Patented June 23, 1914.

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J. H. LEVIS, JR.

MANUAL CALL DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION TILED DEC. 29, 1913.

Patented June 23, 1914.

2 SHEETS--SHEBT 2 75mm, lum?! similar diagrammatic drawing two line cir- UNITED STATE PfilTENT QFFEGE.

JOHN H. LEVIS, JR., OI ROCHESTER, N'EN YGRK. ASSIGNOR TO STR-OMBERG-CARLSON TELEYHONE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, (1F RUGHESTER, NEW YORK, A CDRPQ- RATION OF NEW YORK.

MANUAL-CEtLLDXSTRXBUTING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Fates ted June 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN H. Lev s. J11, a citizen of the United Slates, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Manual- Call-Distributing Systems, of which the fol lowing is a full, clean ooncise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part. of this specification. I

My invention relates to an improved systern for use. in telephone exchanges by which a call operator may answer all incoming calls at an exchange and distribute the calls manually to idle operators without requiring the operators to answer any signals lhus given by the call operator. The connection extended by call operator is picked up by the connecting operator, who connects her operators set and asks for the connection desired, the connection of the connecting operators cord pair being made in multiple, both at the answering and calling ends of the cord pair involved. The calling of the desired subscriber is effected in the same way as is done commonly in connection with the practice in manual exchanges.

The several drawings illustrating my invention are as follows:

Figure 1 shows in a diagrammatic circuit drawing the apparatus and connections employed for permit-ting the call distributing operator to control the calling of the connecting operators. Fig. 2 shows in a Quits and a cord circuit employed in connection with the call distributing system.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of relays I, 3, 5 and 7 are employed forcontrolling. by their actuation, the connection of the call distributing operators telephone set with desired ones of the operators sets of the. connecting operators. The relays 1, 3, 5 and 7 have associated with them. respectively, the relays 2, 4, 6 and 8, which when actuated as described, serve to bar the corresponding connecting operators from connection by the call distributing apparatus.

It will be understood that the signaling mechanism usually employed in connection with the line circuits of a manually operated telephone stein are employed in carrying on my location with the difference that the e line signals. instead of being placed he? re the connecting operators are all pod before the ca l di lri uiliug operator, hut that the call distrihuling operator has nothing wlmtcvcr to do with the circcit connections extending to these signals. the result of which the signals are not particularly shown in Fig. l it being understood that these signals. which are dcscrilj ed in Fig. 2, are grouped as dcarihed. instead of in from of the connecting operat rs positions.

In addition to the relays referred to in Fig. l, a masler selecling relay 9 is eniployed and a common release relay 10, There are also shown in connection with Fig. l; a counter or meter magnet 11 for actuating the counter or meter 12 to show the number of calls, and a meter release relay 13. .An automatic barring relay l-l is also employed for a purpose to be described.

The apparatus referred to above may be operated in the following manner: The call distributing operator is provided with an ordinary circuit closing key l5, which she depresses when a line signal in front of her position is operated. The actuation of the lifoy 15 closes a circuit as follows: battery 16,

ground 17 to ground 18, wire 19 wire 20, wire 21, key 15. wire 22. wire 3%, wire 24,

energizing winding of the relay 9, wire 95, wire 26, wire 27, back to battery 16. This relay by its operation closes the energizing circuit of relay 1 as follows: battery 16, ground 1?. ground 28, armature 29 of relay 9, wire 30, armature 'll of relay 2, wire 32, barring switch 33, wire 34, energizing wind ing of relay l, wire 35. wire 9.7, hack to battery 16. The energization of the relay 1 at tracts its arniaiures 36 and 37 and closes a circuit between the terminals 38 and 39, as follows: terminal 89, armature 36, wire 40, to operator's induction coil ll andreturning by wire 42 to armature 537 to terminal 39. The terminals 38 and 39 are connected with the operators telephone set at the first position to be controlled by the key 15. The operators induction coil 41 is connected in circuit with the terminals 43 and -14, as indirated, through the operator's transmitter 45, b the following circuit: terminal 43, impe' ance coil 46, wire 47, transmitter 45, wire 48, secondary winding of operators inductioncoil 41, wire 49, impedance coil 50, to terminal 44. Thus, as the condenser 51 is connected across the terminals of the impedance coils 46 and 50, the operators telephone receiver may be connected across the terminals 43 and 44 and the distributing operator is thus placed in communication with the terminals 38 and 39 and, therefore, in talking communication with the-operators set at the position selected by the operation of the relay 1. At the same tim the signal lamp 52, located at the call distributing board, is lighted over the following circuit: Current is supplied to the wire 34 over the path above traced and flows in parallel with the energizing winding of the relay 1 through the signal lamp 52 to wire 53 to wire 27 and thus back to battery 16. This indicates to the call distributing operator the position selected. A similar lamp 54 is similarly connected, the only difference being that this lamp is preferably located at the chief operators desk to indicate to him the operation of the distribution of the calls by the call distributing operator. The energization of the relay 1 also attractsits armature 55, energizin the relay 2 over the following circuit: attery 16, ground" 17, ground 56, armature 57 of relay 14, wire 58, armature 55, wire 59, energizing winding of relay 2, wire 60, wire 27, battery 16, to

round 17. This circuit serves to retain the arring relay 2 in its energizing position as long as the armature 63 is in its deen'ergized position. For the energized condition of the relay 2, the armature 31 is moved to its front contact, which serves to connect the wire 30 with the energizing winding of the relay-'3 instead of with the energizing winding of the relay 1, at the same time interrupting connection between the wire 30 and the wire 32, as a result of whichthe relay 1 cannot again be energized as long as the relay 2 is energized. The connection of the energizing winding 3 at this time may be traced over the following circuit, which becomes opera-' .tive for asubsequent actuation of the key 15 battery 16, ground 17, ground 28, armature 29, wire 30, armature 31, wire 65, armature 66, of relay 4, wire 67, barring switch 68,

wire 69, energlzing winding of'relay 3, wire 70, wire 27, back to battery 16. In the same manner, the energization of each one of the relays 2, 4 and 6 prevents the energizing of the corresponding selecting .relay 1, 3 and 5 and causes the next selecting impulse sent by the key 15 to energize the relay 3, 5, or 7, as the casc'may be.

In actuating the relay 1 to select the corresponding connecting operator the selecting operator retains the key 15 in depressed posltipn long enough to instruct the connecting operator as to the subscriber that is calling. The lamp signal 52 at this time is illuminated and stays in this condition until the relay 2 is energized. The relay 2 is energized by the insertion of the answering plug by the connecting operator into the designated jack in her multiple switchboard, which, as will be described, energizes the relay 14 and thus completes the energizing circuit of the relay 2. When the relay 2 is energized and pulls up its armature 31, the energizing circuit through the relay 1 is broken, thereby extinguishing the lamp 52 and indicating to the selecting operator that the connecting operator has responded to her order. The key 15 is thus released, which denergizes the relay 9. The deenergization of the relay 1 also 'deenergizes the relay 14, as its operating circuit is completed through the wire 42, as traced above, and the armature 37 of said relay winding, to the selected connecting operators circuit. When the her key 15 and the relay 9 is operated as before, with the same results, except that on account of the change of the energizing circuit by the barring relay 2, the selecting rela. 3 is energized instead of the selecting relay 1. The energization of the selecting relay 3 connects the terminals 71 and 72 of the second connecting operators telephone set with the telephone set of the selecting operator in the same manner as described above for the terminals 38 and 39, since the aramtures controlled by the relay 3 which connect with thetermlnals 71 and 72 are connected with the wires 40 and 42, as will at once appear. The energization of the relay 3 actuatesthe associated barring relay 4 with the same results, as far as the relay 3 is concerned, as described above for the rela 1, when its barring relay 2 is energized. he selecting relay 3 has associated with it sig- I nal lamps 73 and 74, operating in the same manner as the signal lamps 52 and 54 above described. Similar circuit connections are employed forthe selecting relays 5 and 7, each of which serves to connect its own pair of terminals of connecting operators telephone circuit with the operators set of the, connecting operator in the manner above described. The energization of the relay 7 operates its barring relay 8 in the manner abovedescribed for the other selecting relays, the energization of the relay 8, in addition to opening the energizing clrcuit of the rela 7 and thus temporarily barringsaid re ay from operation, closes the energizing circuit of the commonrelease relay 10 as follows:- battery 16, ground 17, ground 75, armature 76 of relay 8, wire 77, energizing winding of release relay 10, wire 78, wire 25, wire 26,

7 wire 27, back to battery 16. This energization of the relay 10 moves the armature (53 rom connection with the wire 64, thus opening the energizing circuits of all of the barring relays 2, at and 6, as a result of which the next operation of the key 15 will energize the relay 1 in the manner above deion of the relay 1) energizes the me actuating relay 13, which preferably is of a construction such as to produce a sluggish operation of the arma ture of said relay. The energizing circuit is closed as follows: battery 16, ground 17, ground 79, armature S0 of relay 0, wire 81, energizing winding of relay 13, wire 82, wire 25, wire 26, wire 2", back to battery 16. NVhen the relay 9 is subsequently det nergized, its arma ure 20 will rest against its back contact before the armature of the relay 13has left its front contact, owing to the sluggish operation of the latter relay. The energizing circuit of the meter magnet 11 will thus be closed as follows: ground 79. armature 80, wire 83, armature 841 of relay 13, wire 85, energizing winding of meter magnet 11, wire 86, wire 27, back to battery 16. Thus, the meter 12 is actuated once for each energization and detinergization of the relay 9 or, in other words, for each completed connection made by one of the connecting operators.

In connection with the mechanism before. the selecting operator, a key 87 is provided which when depressed serves to signal an additional operator that help is wanted, the actuation of this key serving to close the energizing'circuit of a relay as follows: battery '16, ground 1?, ground 18, wire 19, wire 20, wire 88, key 97, wire 89, energizing winding of relay 90, wire 91, wire wire 26, wire 86, wire 27, back to battery 10. The armatures of the relay 90 are thus attracted and connect the terminals 92 and 93 of an extra operators telephone set with the telephone set of the selecting operator.

Referring to Fig. ,2, it will be noted that two subscribers lines are indicated which, in the embodiment shown consist each of a four;part-y line having substations 100, 1,01, 102 and 103. The apparatus for one substation only is shown consisting of the usual transmitter 10 t, receiver 105, hook switch 10(i,ringer 107 and condenser .108. These are connected by line wires in the usual manner with the armatures of a cut-oft relay 1011, and the line is also provided with a line signal relay 110, serving to actuate in a manner well-known in the art the line signal 111. Multiple jacks 112 and 113 are also shown connected to the line. The other line shown in Fig. 2 is identical with that described in detail above and particular reference thereto is not necessary. .The cord circuit shown for cooperation with the line circuits to conmeet them for conversation is of a kind wellknown in the art in which four-party selective machine ringing is employed.

The cord circuit shown in the present application contains an addition to the features usually found in such a cord circuit in devices for automatically connecting the connecting operator with the selecting operator referred to in connection with Fig. 1.

In the cord circuit shown in Fig. 2', the signaling relay 114 is provided with two windings,"one terminal of each being connected with one of the cord strands of the operators cord pair shown in the drawings, the other terminals of these windings being connected with the positive and negative sides of the battery 115 used to supply cur rent to the cord pai' and through the cord pair to the connected telephone lines for conversation purposes. \Yhile the battery 11;") is shown as a battery separate from the battery 10 of Fig. 1, it will be. understood that these two may he the same battery if desired, since the selecting operators circuits are located invariably in close proximity to the circuits of the connectng operators controlled by the selecting operator. The cord pair shown in F .2 is also provided with a signaling relay 110, having two windings, the terminals of which are connected with the cord strands of the calling end of the cord pair, the other terminals of these windings being connected with the opposite terminals of the battery 115, as indicated. \Vhen the connection between the calling subscriber and the called subscriber is completed by means of the cord pair shown in Fi 2, it will be understood that the cut-off relays connecting with the calling and called lines are operated and that the lines are supplied with current through the relays 11stv and 116, since the switch hoo's at the calling and called substations are at this time closed, aftor-ding a conductive path over the line for the current flow. The cnergization of the relays 114s and 116 closes the energizing circuit of the barring controlling relay 117, as follows: battery 115, wire 1 18, wire 1111, plug switch 120, wire 121. wire 1:2). armature 123 of relay 110, wire 1'21, aru'iature 1'35 of relay 114, Wire 1911, aru'ialure 127 of relay 12%, wire 12! energizing winding of relay 117, wire 130, back to battery 113. The armatures 131 and 1313 are thus attracted and include the terminals $18 and 30 in a closed circuit through the battery 115 as follows: terminal 38. wire 133, armature 13), wire 13 1, wire 1 15i, energizing winding of relay 114, wire 131 wire 118, battery 115, wire 13?, wire 138, the second energizing winding of relay 114, wire 139, armature 1 31 wire 110, terminal 39. The terminals 38 and 31) are in connection with the terminals 218 and 39, respectively. shonn in Fig. '1. as a result of which. when the armature 1 is energized and the relay :17 is energized, the barring relay 14 is energized over the circuit traced above;

,From the circuit connections above traced, will be observed that the energization of the relay 117 depends upon the energization of the relays 114 and 116 and also upon the relay 128 being in its denergized conditio which is the case during the talking condition of the cord pair. Further-- more, this energizing circuit dependsalso upon the plug switch 120 being in the condition indicated in the drawings, which is the one as a result of which, by operating the plug switch, the control of the barring relay 14 by the operation of the relays 114 and 116 is interrupted.

The terminals 141 and 142 connect with the operators telephone set of the cord pair shown in Fig. 2 and, thus, the connecting operator is in communication with the selecting operator as soon as the relay l'is energized. It will be understood that the connections shown in Fig. 2'extend to all of the cord pairs of that position, so that the operator in charge of that position is connected withby the energization of the rela 1 and that the operation of any one of t e relays 117 connected with these cord pair will control the actuation of the barrin relay 14. Furthermore, it will be un erstood that the other terminals controlled by the relays 3, 5 and 7 are similarly connected with different groups of cord pair, each group being in charge of a different operator,- so that the operators may be signaled successively by the selecting operator as the calls come in on the signal-board at the selecting operatorsposition. It will further be understood that the barring switches associated with the relays 1, 3, 5 and 7 provide a means by which any operators position may be permanently barred from operation by the selecting operator, as, forexample,'when the operator is not at her position.

While I have shown my invention in the particular embodiments above described, I do not, however, limit myself to these constructions as I may employ equivalent devices for carrying out my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a telephonesystem, the combination of a plurality of operators positions, an operators telephone set at each position, a selecting relay for each position, an operating switch for the selecting relays, and devices actuated by the operating switch for successively actuating said relays for successive actuations of said switch.

2. In a telephone system, the combination of a. plurality of operators positions. an operators telephone set at each position, a selecting relay for each position, a barring relay for each position, an actuating key. controlled b he and circuit connections 'erators telephone set at .erators position,

actuating key for successively actuating the selecting relays, the actuation of a selecting relay serving to actuate the corresponding barring relay to prevent a second actuation of said selecting relay until the deenergization of said barring relay.

3. In a telephone system, the combination of a plurality of operators positions, an operators telephone set at each' position, a selecting relay for each position, a barring relay for each position, an actuating key, and circuit connections controlled by the actuating key for successively actuating the selecting relays, the actuation of a selecting relay serving to actuate the corresponding barring relay, and the actuation f said barring relay causing the next actua ion of the operating key to actuate the next selecting relay.

4. In a telephone system, the combination of a plurality of operators positions, an opeach position, a series of selecting relays one for each opa series (if-barring relays one for'each selecting relay, and an operating key for actuating the selecting relays, the actuation of a selecting relay causing the operation of the corresponding barring relay to prevent actuation of said selecting relay during the operative condition of the barrin relay and to cause the next actuation of the operating key to actuate the next, one in the series of selecting relays- 5. In a telephone system, the combination of a plurality of operators positions, an operators telephone set at each position, a series of selecting relays one for each op'-' erators position, a series of barring relays one for each selecting relay, an operating key for actuating the selecting relays, the actuation of a selecting relay causing the operation of the corresponding barring relay to prevent the actuation of said selecting relay during the operative condition of the barring relay and to cause the next actuation of the operating key to actuate the next one in the series of selecting relays, and switching'mechanism for removing a desired one of the series of selecting relays from its series without interfering with t e operation of the remaining selecting relays.

6. In a telephone system, the combination of a plurality of operators positions, an operators telephone set at each position, a selecting relay for each position, an operating switch for the selecting relay, devices actuated by the operating switch for successively actuating said relays for successive actuations of said switch, an operators telephone associated with the operating switch, and devices for connecting the last-named operators telephone with the telephone at the position corresponding to the operated selecting relay.

7. In atelephone system, the. combination of a iilurality of operators positiont an operator-ii telephone set at each position, a selecting; relay for each position. a barring relay for each pcsitiongan actuating key, circuit connections controlled hy the actuating key for successively actuatingthe selecting relays. the actuation of a selecting relay serving to actuate the c rresponding barring l l l relay to prevent a second actuation of said selecting relay until the deenergiza'tion 0t raid hearing relay, an. operator! telephone ociated with the operating switch. and devices for connecting the last-pained up erator's telephone with the telephone at the position corresponding to the operated seleeting relay.

b. In a telephone system. the combination of a plurality of operators" positions. an opcrators telephone set at each position. a lect'inp; relay for *ach po ition. a barring relay for each position.

circuit connections controlled in the actnatint: ltev for successively i'ictuatin g the selectinn relays. the actuation of a --1clcctin;,: relay serving to actuate the corresponding ha rring relay. the actuation o'l'said barring relay causing the next actuation oi the operating key to actuate the next selecting relay an operators telephone associated with the op erating switch. and devices for mnuiectinp the last-named operator? telephone with the telephone at, the position corresponding to the operated selecting relay. 4

t). In a teleph ne system. the coinhinatiou of a plurality of operators positions. an operator's telephone set a ea h position. a series of selei'jiinpj relay. one t r each opt-r atorl position. a'scries ot' harriug relay A one for each selecting relay. an operating hey toiactuating the ele ting 'i'uta i'i; the a tuation of a selecting: r lay causing; the. o a-raiion of the c zrresponding hai'ring' ielay to prevent actuation of said sclci'rting relay during thi, opera ive condit on of the tan-ring relay ltlnl to cause the next a tuation of; perati hey to actuate the next one in ie ll'ii"*- ot selecting: r lay an pcrr tors-i telephone assoeiatcd pith the operating ;-\\itch. and devices for connecting: the l=\.\t-ll;lllltii operator's telephone with the telephone at the position eorrespondiin; to the Oiitlitltitl so lJtillUg relay.

it). In a telephone system. the conihinati n of a plurality of operators positions. an operatons telephone set at each position. a series of selecting relays one for each operators position. a series of harrinc relays one for each lecting relay. an operating: kc; tor a tuating the :-:clei"tilt; relays the tuation ot a whaling relay causing th operation of the coia'i-spouding barring re lay to prevent actuation oi said selecting l't lav during the operative condition ol' the harring relay and to cause the next actuaan actuating keyw l i l l l l t i l l l t 2 i l l l one in the series of tion of the operating key to actuate the next selecting relays. switching mechanism for removing a desired one of the series of seleeting relays from its ries without interfering with the operation of the remaining selecting relays. an operators telephone associated with the operating switch. and devices for connecting the lust-named operatons telephone With the telephone at the position corresponding to the operated selecting relay.

1. 1. In a telephone system. the combination of a plurality of operatorspositions, an operatoris telephone at each position. a selecting relay for each position. an operating switch for the selecting relays. devices actuated by the operating switch for successively actuating said relays for successive actuations of said switch, and signal iucchaisin for indi ating the operation of the selecting' relays.

ii. in a telephone system. theconihination of a plurality of operators positions. an oprators telephone at each position. a selecting relay tor each position. a barring; relay for each position an actuating key. circuit connectioi'is controlled hy the actuating key f r suc essively actuating the selecting relays. the actuation of a. sele ting relay serving to actuate the corresponding barring relay to prevent a second actuation of said select in relay until the dccnergizatiou of said harring" relay; and signaling mechanism for operation oi the selecting and barring: relays.

1 In a telephone system. he coiuhinalion o'l' a plurality of operators" positions. an operator's telephone set at each position. a selecting relay for each position. a harriuc relay for each position. an actuating key. cir uit connections ontrolled by the actuatira' hey tor successively actuating the s lecting IOl2! the actuation of a selecting relay servin; to actuate the corresponding harring relay the actuation of said barringrelay causing the next actuation ot' the opcrating hey to actuate the next selecting relay. and Slflliilllllfl mechanism for indicatingthe operation of the selecting and harring relays.

it. In. a telephone system. the combination of a plurality of operators" positions. an o 'icraton-i telephone set at each position. a series ot selecting relays one for each operators pontion. a series ot harring relays; one for "each selectin; relay. an operating ltey for actuating the selecting relays. the actuation of a selecting: relay causing the operation of the correz-ponding liarring relay to prevent actuation oi said scleetiug: relay during" the operative condillU of the barring relay and to cause the next actuation of the operating key to actuate the next one in the series of selecting tion of a relays, and signaling mechanism for indicating the operation of the selecting and barrin \relays.

15. In a telephone system, the combinaplurality of operators positions, an operators telephone set at each position, a series of selecting relays one for each operators position a series of barring relays one for each selecting relay, an operating key for actuating the selecting relays, the actuation of a selecting relay causing the operation of the corresponding barring relay to prevent actuation of said selecting relay during the operative condition of the barring relay and to cause the next actuation of the operating key to actuate the next one in the series of selecting relays, switching mechanism for removing a desired one of the series of selecting relays from its. series without interfering with the operation of the remaining selectingrelays, and signaling mechanism for indicating the v operation of the selecting and barring relays.

sition, a plurality 16. In a telephone system, erators position, a plurality of line signals associated'with said selecting operators position, a plurality of connecting operators positions, multiple line jacks associated with each connecting operators position, cord circuits at each connecting operators position for connecting desired ones of the line jacks for conversation, a selecting relay for each connecting operators position, a bara selecting opring relay for each connecting operators position, and an operating switch at the selecting operators position for successively actuating the selecting relays, the actuation of each selecting relay causing the operation of the associated barring relay to prevent subsequent actuation of said selecting.

relay during the actuated condition of said barring relay. 17. In a telephone system, a selecting operators position, a plurality of line signals associated with said selecting operators poof connecting operators positions, multiple line jacks associated with each connecting operators position, cord circuits at each connecting operators position for connecting desired ones of the line jacks for conversation, a selecting relay for each connecting operators position, a barring relay for each connecting operators position, a master selecting relaan operating switch associated with the se ecting operators position for actuating said master relay, the

- successive act-nations of said master relay serving to successively operate said selecting relays, actuation of each selectin relay operating the associated barring re ay to prevent subsequent operation of said selecting relay while the barring relay is actuated.

18. In a telephone system, a selecting o erators position, a plurality of line signa s associated with said selecting operators potion for connecting of connecting operators positions, multiple line jacks associated with each connecting operators position, cord circuits at each connecting operators position for connecting desired ones of the line jacks for conversation, a selecting relay for each connecting operators position, a barring relay for each connecting operators position, an operating switch associated with the selecting operators position for successively actuating the selecting relays, a common barring relay, circuit connections extending from said common barring relay to each of the connecting operators positions, switching mechanism at each connecting operators position actuated by the connection of lines at said position by one of said cord circuits, an operating switch associated with th'eselecting operators osition for successively operating the selecting rela s, and circuit connections extending from t e common barring relay and the selecting to the associated barring relays for actuating the barring relay associated with an actuated selecting relay to prevent the subsequent actuation of said selecting relay while the corresponding barring relay is in operated condition.

19. In a telephone system, a selecting operators position, a plurality of line signals associated with said selecting operators position, a pluralitv of connecting operators relayspositions, multiple line jacks associated with each connecting operators position, cord circuits at each connecting operators posidesired ones of the line jacks for conversation, a selecting relay for each connecting operators position, a barring relay for each connecting operators position, an operating switch associated with the selecting operators position for successively actuating the selecting relays, a common barring relay, circuit connections extending from said common barring relay to each of the connecting operators positions, switching mechanism at each connecting operators position actuated by the connection of lines at said position by one of said cord circuits, a master selecting relay, an operating switch associated with the selecting operators position for repeatedly actuating said master relay, the successive actuation of said master successively energize said selecting relays, and circuit connections extending from said selecting relays to said barrin relays for actuating a barring relay by, t e actuation of the corresponding selecting relay to revent the subsequent operation of said se ecting relay while the corresponding barring relay is in operated condition.

20. In a telephone system, the combination of a plurality of operators positions, an operators telephone set at each position, a selecting relay for each position, an opcrating switch for the selecting relays, de vices actuated by the operating switch for successively actuating said relays for successive actuations of said switch, and a counter for registering the number of sc lections eflected.

21. In a telephone system, the combination of a plurality of operators positions, an operators telephone set at each position, a selecting relay for each position, an operating switch for the selecting relay, de vices actuated by the operating; switch for successively actuating said relays tor succcssive actuations of said switch, an operators telephone associated with the operating switch, devices for connecting the last named operators telephone with the tclephone at. the position corresponding to the operated selecting relay, and a counter tor registering the number of selections etlected.

Q2. ln a telephone system, a selecting op erators position, a plurality of line signals a sociated with said selecting operators position, a plurality of connecting operators positions, multiple line jacks associated with each connecting operators position, cord circuits at each connecting operators position for connecting desired ones of the line jacks for conversation, a selecting relay for each connecting opcrators position, a barring relay for each connecting opcrators position, an operating switch at the selecting operators position for successively actuating the selecting relays, the actuation of each selecting relay causing the operation of the associated barring relay to prevent subsequent actuation of said selecting relay during the actuated condition of said barring relay, and a counter for registering the number of selections effected.

23. In a telephone system, a selecting opcrators position, a plurality of line signals associated with'sa id selecting operators position. a plurality of connecting operators" positions, mult iplc line jacks associated with each connecting operatofs position, cord circuits at each ctmnecting operator's position for connecting desired ones ot the line jacks for conversation, a selecting relay for ach connecting operators position, a barring relay for each connecting operator s position, a master selecting relay, an operating switch associated with the selecting operators position for actuating said master rclay, the successive actuatii'uis of said master relay serving to successively operate said selecting relays, actuation of each selecting relay operating the associated barring relay in prercnt subsequent operation of said selecting relay while the barring relay is actuated, a slow-acting relay having an energizing circuit controlled by the operation of said master relay, and an electromagnetic counter controlled by the joint operation of (IL said master relay and said sltpwacting relay to indicate the number of selections effected.

24. In a telephone system, the combination of a plurality of connecting operators positions, cord circuits associated with each position, selecting mechanism for successively selecting said positions, barring mechanism for each position for preventing the operation. of the selecting mechanism for the corresponding position, and switching mechanism associated with each operators position for controlling the operation of the corresponding barring mechanism by the connection of one of the cord circuits at said position.

25. In a telephone system. the combination of a plurality of connecting operators positions, cord circuits associated with each position, selecting mechanism for successively sch cting said positions, barring mechanism for each position for preventing the operation of the selecting mechanism for the corresponding position, and electromagnetic switching mechanism associated with each operator's position for controlling the o]' eration of the corresponding barring mechanism by the connection of one of the cord circuits at said position.

26. In a telephone system. the combination of a plurality of connecting operators positions, cord circuits associated with each position, selecting mechanism for successively selecting said positions, barring n1ech anism for each position for preventing the operation of the selecting mechanism for the corresponding! position, and relay mechanism connected with the circuits at each of said positions for controlling the operation of the corresponding barring mechanism by the connection of one of the cord circuits at said position.

27. In a. telephone system, the combination of a plurality of connecting operators positions, cord circuits associated with each position. selecting mechanism for successively selecting said positions, barring mechanism for each position for preventing the operation of the selecting mechanism for the corresponding position. switching mechanism associated with each ope 'ator's position for controlling the operation of the corresponding barring mechanism by the connection of one of the cord circuits at said position, an operator's telephone set at each connecting operator's position, a selecting operator's position, a switching mechanism associated with the selecting operators position for actuating the selecting mechanism, and circuit connections extending from the selecting mechanism to the connecting operators telephone sets and the selecting operators telephone set for selectively connecting the connecting operators telephone sets with the selecting operators telephone set.

28. In a telephone system. the combination of a plurality of connecting operators,

positions, cord circuits associated with each position, selecting mechanism for successively selecting said positions, barring mechanism for each position for preventing the operatio of the selecting mechanism for the corresponding position, electromagnetic switching mechanism associated with each operators position for controlling the operation of the corresponding barring mechanism by the connection of one of the cord cirsuits at said position, an operators telephone set at each connecting operators position, a selecting operators position, a switching mechanism associated with the selecting c tors position for actuating the s, u-ting mechanism, and circuit connections extend ing from the selecting mechanism to the coir necting operators telephone sets and the selecting operators telephone set for selectively connecting the connecting operators telephone sets with the selecting operators telephone set.

29. In a telephone system, the combination of a plurality of connecting operators" positions, cord circuits associated with each position, selectin mechanism for successively selecting said positions, barring mechanism for each position for preventing the operation of the selecting mechanism for the corresponding position, relay mechanism connected with the circuits at each of said positions for controlling the operation of the corresponding barring mechanism by the connection of one ofthe cord circuits at said position, an operators telephone set at each connecting operators position, a selecting operators position, a switching mechanism associated with the selecting operators position for actuating the selecting mechanism, and circuit connections extending from the selecting mechanism to the con necting operators telephone sets and the selecting operators telephone set for selectively connecting the connecting operators telephone sets with the selecting operators telephone set.

30. In a telephone system, the combination of a plurality of operators positions, an operators telephone set at each position, a selecting relay for each position, an operating switch for the selecting relays, devices actuated by the operating switch for successively actuating said relays for successive actuations of said switch, an operators telephone associated with the operating switch, devices for connecting the lastnamed operators telephone with the telephone at the position corresponding to the operated selecting relay, an auxiliary switch associated with the operating switch, and circuit connections extending from said auxiliary switch to an additional operators telephone set to connect the said additional telehone set with the telephone set associated vith the operating switch when desired.

additional operators telephone set to con- 31. In a telephone system, the combination of a plurality of operators positions, an operators telephone set atseach position, a selecting relay for each position, a barring relay for each position, an actuating key, circuit connections controlled by the actuating key for successively actuating the selecting relays, the actuation of a selecting relay serving to actuate the corresponding barring relay to prevent a second actuation of said selecting relay until the denergization of said barring relay, an operators telephone r sociated with the actuating key, devices for connecting the last-named operators telephone with the telephone at the position corresponding to the operated selecting relay, an auxiliary switch associated with the actuating hey, and circuit connections extending from saio auxiliary switch to an nect the said additional telephone set with the telephone set associated with the actuating key when desired;

32. u a telephone system the combination of a plurality of operators ositions, an operators telephone set at eac position, a selecting relay for each position,- a barring relay for each position, an actuating key, circuit connections controlled by the actuating key for successively actuating the selecting relays, the actuation of a selecting relay serving to actuate the corresponding barring relay, the actuation of said barrin relay causing the next actuation of t e actuating key to actuate the next selecting relay, an operators telephone associated with the actuating key, and devices for connecting the last-named operators telephone with the telephone at the position corresponding to the operated selecting relay, an auxiliary switch associated with the actuating key, and circuit connections extending from said auxiliary switch to an additional operators telephone set to connect the said additional telephone set with the telephone set associated with the actuating key when desired.

33. In a telephone system, the combination of a plurality of operators positions,van operators telephone set at each position, a series of selecting relays one for each operators position, a series of,barring relays one for each selecting relay, an operating key for actuating the selecting relays, the actuation of a selecting relay causing the operation of the corresponding barring relay to prevent actuation of said selecting relay during the operative condition of the barring relay and to cause the next actuation of the operatin key to actuate the next one in the series of selecting relays an pperators telephone associated with the operating key, devices for connecting the last-named operators telephone with the telephone at the position corresponding to the operated seing relays from its series without interfer ing with the operation of the remaining selecting relays, an operators telephone associated with the operating key, devices for connecting the last-named operators telephone with thetelephone at the position corresponding to the operated selecting relay, an auxiliary switch associated with the operating key, and circuit connections extending from said auxiliary switch to an additional operators telephone set to connect the said additional telephone set with the telephone set associated with the operating key when desired.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of December, A. D 1913.

Iecting relay, an auxiliary switch associated with the operating key, and circuit connections extending from said auxiliary switch to an additional operators telephone set to v connect the said additional telephone set with the telephone set associated with the operating key when desired.

34. In a telephone system, the combination of a. plurality of operators positions, an operators telephone set at each position, a series of selecting relays one for each operators position, a series of barring relays one r'or each selectin relay, an operating key for actuating the se ecting relays, the actuation of a selecting relay causing the operation of the corresponding barring relay to preventactuation of said selecting relay during the operative condition of the barring relay and to cause the next actuation of the operating he to actuate the next one in the series of selecting relays, switching mechanism for removing a desired one of the series of select- JOHN H. LEVIS, JR.

Witnesses:

E. A. REINKE, W. T. EASTWOOD.

five cents each, by addressing the Washington, 1L0.

Ooplu of this patent may be obtained for Commissioner of Patents, 

